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G. P. STEVENS & J. E. SMYTH.

Patented June 21, 1887.

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. STEVENS AND JOSEPH E. SMYTH, OF NORTH\VOOD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

LAST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 365,154, dated June 21, 1887.

(No model.)

To (LZZ whmn it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE F. SfrEvENs and JosEPH E. SMYTH, of Northwood, in the county of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in Shoe-Lasts, which the following is a specification.

Nearly all sh oelasts are made in two pieces one the last proper and the other the instepblock. These are usually tied together with string, which frequently has to be replaced, and the parts of the last often become separated and useless, and the string is liable to injure fine work.

Our invention relates to a means for permanently connecting the two parts of the last, and at the same time allowing the necessary freedom of movement, so that the instep-piece can be drawn back before the last itself is withdrawn.

In the drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal section of the last with our improvement. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same.

The main part A of the last and the upper or instep piece, B, are of any desired size or character, and upon the under side of the instep-piece B, near the forward end thereof, a metallic loop or strap, 0, .is permanently secured, and a ring or loop, (1, passes through this strap, and the upper surface of the last A, beneath the instep-piece B, is channeled or grooved longitudinally at e, to allow the strap 0 and ring (Z to hang freely therein, and to move along with the instep-piece when the same is drawn back or moved forward, and inthis groove 0 is a longitudinal wire, i, passing through the ring or loop (I, and the ends are firmly seeuredin the last, preferably-by the may be bent up as a bow near the upper part,

as seen by dotted lines at 0, so that when the instep part B is drawn back it may be enti rely above the last A, as seen by dotted lines in Fig. 1; but the loop or strap 0 and ring d form a firm connection to the wirct and last A. It is preferable to make the staple 4 with a square head, that projects into a correspond ingly-shaped recess in the under side of the instep-picce to hold such instep-piece against lateral pressure, and a metal plate, slotted, may be attached to the under surface of the insteppiece, to prevent injury. to the wood by the head of the staple 4t.

' We claim as our invention-- 1. The last A, having a longitudinal slot in its upper surface and a wire running along in said slot and permanentlyfastened at its ends to the last, in combination with the instep piece B and the metallic ring or connection upon the insteppiece, through which the wire in the slot passes, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with thelast and sepa rate instep-piece, of a wire running longitudi nally of the groove in the upper part of the last, a connection from the instep-piece to the wire, and a projection or staple, 4, upon the last, entering a recess in the instep-piece, substantial] y as set forth.

Signed by us this 14th day of March, 1887.

' GEORGE E. STEVENS.

- JOSEPH E. SMYTH.

\Vit nesses:

JOHN A. RIDDLE, B. O. OILLEY. 

